DEFINITIONS.

In this chapter:

(1) "Advanced practice nurse" means a registered nurse recognized as an advanced practice nurse by the Texas Board of Nursing.

(2) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.

(2-a) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of state health services.

(3) "Comprehensive medical rehabilitation hospital" means a general hospital that specializes in providing comprehensive medical rehabilitation services, including surgery and related ancillary services.

(4) "Department" means the Department of State Health Services.

(4-a) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.

(5) "General hospital" means an establishment that:

(A) offers services, facilities, and beds for use for more than 24 hours for two or more unrelated individuals requiring diagnosis, treatment, or care for illness, injury, deformity, abnormality, or pregnancy; and

(B) regularly maintains, at a minimum, clinical laboratory services, diagnostic X-ray services, treatment facilities including surgery or obstetrical care or both, and other definitive medical or surgical treatment of similar extent.

(6) "Governmental unit" means a political subdivision of the state, including a hospital district, county, or municipality, and any department, division, board, or other agency of a political subdivision.

(7) "Hospital" includes a general hospital and a special hospital.

(8) "Medical staff" means a physician or group of physicians and a podiatrist or a group of podiatrists who by action of the governing body of a hospital are privileged to work in and use the facilities of a hospital for or in connection with the observation, care, diagnosis, or treatment of an individual who is, or may be, suffering from a mental or physical disease or disorder or a physical deformity or injury.

(9) "Pediatric and adolescent hospital" means a general hospital that specializes in providing services to children and adolescents, including surgery and related ancillary services.

(10) "Person" means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or joint stock company, and includes a receiver, trustee, assignee, or other similar representative of those entities.

(11) "Physician" means a physician licensed by the Texas Medical Board.

(12) "Physician assistant" means a physician assistant licensed by the Texas Physician Assistant Board.

(13) "Podiatrist" means a podiatrist licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

(14) Repealed by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1286, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.

(15) "Special hospital" means an establishment that:

(A) offers services, facilities, and beds for use for more than 24 hours for two or more unrelated individuals who are regularly admitted, treated, and discharged and who require services more intensive than room, board, personal services, and general nursing care;

(B) has clinical laboratory facilities, diagnostic X-ray facilities, treatment facilities, or other definitive medical treatment;

(C) has a medical staff in regular attendance; and

(D) maintains records of the clinical work performed for each patient.